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Infield of the Rockies' dreams

Tulo, Arenado, Morneau and LeMahieu make Rockies' defense great

By Troy E. Renck

The Denver Post

Posted:
03/11/2014 11:06:57 PM MDT

Updated:
03/11/2014 11:07:17 PM MDT

The Colorado Rockies could have their best defensive infield in franchise history, thanks to athletic and steady players such as shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, right, and third baseman Nolan Arenado. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press)

Summer of Glove

Manager Walt Weiss wants his pitchers to get groundballs, and he has an infield that should catch them. Michael Cuddyer has played every major league infield position. The all-star provided his breakdown of the team's infielders:

1B Justin Morneau: Good as any right-handed 1B starting the double play

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The strings provide the reminder. The dives, slides and scoops drive the point home. Rockies manager Walt Weiss wants groundballs, instructing his pitchers to throw to contact. Here in spring training, the Rockies set string targets in front of their catchers for side sessions, demanding pitchers throw low strikes.

It is the Rockies' defense, however, that sparks utter devotion from the staff. The Rockies have an infield of dreams, arguably the best defensive infield in franchise history.

The Rockies don't have the top rotation in their division, or the top bullpen, though both could be improved if Jhoulys Chacin returns to form. What the staff lacks in dominance, the defense makes up for with steady play and a flair for the acrobatic.

Extra outs are poison to pitchers. The Rockies' infielders give away almost no cheap runs. Colorado's starters — new first baseman Justin Morneau (fourth), second baseman DJ LeMahieu (first), shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (third) and third baseman Nolan Arenado (first) — all ranked among baseball's best in range factor last season, according to baseball-reference.com. Arenado won a Gold Glove as a rookie last year and Tulowitzki has won two Gold Gloves.

"You can't help but feel comfortable with those guys out there," said Jorge De La Rosa, the Rockies' expected opening day starter. "They give you confidence as a pitcher."

The Rockies reached their zenith in 2007, setting a major league record with a .989 fielding percentage — which the Baltimore Orioles broke last season — en route to the World Series. That team included a strong foursome around the infield — first base Todd Helton, second base Kaz Matsui, Tulowitzki and third base Garrett Atkins. Comparing groups is difficult, but it's not a stretch to say this year's Rockies' infield should be better.

"You know you have a good infield when the ball is hit on the ground and the fans' initial reaction isn't panic. It may sound like a joke; it's the truth," said All-Star outfielder Michael Cuddyer, who will fill in at first base and has played every infield position during his career. "When the opponents hit a groundball, and they put their head down because they know there's no hope of an error or getting on base. ... we have that with these guys."

Tulowitzki is the anchor. He has ranked first in range four times in his career, and owns one of the game's strongest arms. The Rockies don't use many dramatic infield shifts — most are slight cheats for pull hitters — but Tulowitzki positions the left side.

"I will be honest: Tulo directs me. He says what's going to happen, so I move off that," Arenado said.

Combine Tulowitzki's ability to go to his right with Arenado's nightly Cirque du Soleil and the outs pile up. Tulowitzki and Arenado had just 19 errors in 981 chances last season and reached many groundballs that others don't.

"I get a chance to watch it every day. It's unbelievable. It's something I am going to sit and tell stories about when I retire," Gold Glove left fielder Carlos Gonzalez said. "They cover so much ground. It's amazing what they can do."

LeMahieu lives in the shadows, boring in the most reliable way. He might have won his first Gold Glove last season had he won the second base job in spring training and played the entire season. He made three errors in 474 chances, and at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds he can take a hit while converting double plays.

"You are talking about big, athletic guys with good arms. That's always a plus," said Tulowitzki.

Morneau, in his first year with the Rockies, replaces Helton while wearing Larry Walker's number. Safe to say he doesn't shy away from challenges. He learned to play first base while working on the back fields of spring training with former Twins manager Tom Kelly. No detail was too miniscule. They once worked for an half hour without him fielding a single groundball. And, according to Cuddyer, "There's no right-handed first baseman better at starting a double play."

The pitchers are the benefactors. It's one thing to feed groundballs, and another to know that the fielders will attack them like sharks to chum.

"You can't ask for anything more than the routine play. I have see when it doesn't happen," said closer LaTroy Hawkins, drawn to re-sign with the Rockies, in part, because of the defense. "I remember the 2007 group. This could be like that. It's cool when you aren't a strikeout pitcher that you know the guys behind you are going to get it done."

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